Darrows The Story of My Life said there is no evidence of immortality, B. Gods A long time ago, in the 1700s in a little town in Yorkshire, a county in northern England, there was a very, very poor family. Now, before I speak of another, may I pause to avow; there is never, ever, a defeat, never in our commitment to our Lord. And if you would just swear by Caesar, recant Christ, just let them go. [My Glorious Victor, Prince Divine, Handley C.G. They dont think anything of the second death, thats not a possibility, but maybe theres some way with the right potions and the right exercise and the right diet, I dont actually have to face my own mortality.. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. One of the marks, I say, of a true disciple of Christ, he never wearies, hes never seen, hes never sated listening to the Word of God. 15, 16), VI. The most remarkable Polycarp, who proved to be an apostolic and prophetic teacher in our own time, bishop of the catholic church, meaning the orthodox, universal church in Smyrna. Would to God we had ten thousand lives to offer to Jesus. It is used twice in the Bible. You couldnt help but know a man like that. So the men prepared the pyre and stripped Polycarp of his clothes, and as they were about to nail him to the stake, Polycarp interrupted. God(John 8:31-32, 14:23-24), A. When the spies arrived in Jericho, they entered into what everyone thought was a harlot's house. If I live, bless God, it is to love Him. He literally opens up his heart and lets "Faithful unto Death" Sixth Sunday after Pentecost St. Mark 6:14-29 July 16, 2006 IN NOMINE JESU In the rite of Confirmation, the confirmands are reminded of what Web10/ 9/ 94 FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH REVELATION 2: 10 (PAGE 1785 COME ALIVE BIBLE) JESUS CHRIST is appropriately spoken of as "the faithful witness" (Rev. Remember? The Pharisees did that (Matt. But interestingly, Revelation here doesnt blame the Romans for the persecution thats coming, though they could be the ones to mete it out, the executioners. He dressed like a Tory schoolmaster. And he was invited to preach before the king, King George III, in 1780. Notice the Lord Jesus says in verse 9, I know your tribulation and your poverty. This was a church that had more pain than they had money. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faithFor by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of But listen to the heroes of the faith. A hundred years old and Sarah, ninety years of age and no child is born [Genesis 17:17]. In fact, this one disqualifying sin will exclude us from ever going to heaven and receiving eternal life. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Later in the letter we read such is the story of blessed Polycarp, although he, together with those from Philadelphia, was the 12th person martyred in Smyrna, he alone is especially remembered by everyone so that he is spoken of everywhere, even by pagans. 1 2 3 4 Next He did NOT say, If you are faithful a few short years I will give thee a Psalms 20:5-6 Some of you perhaps pray for it every day, that would be wonderful. Hes telling us from Gods Holy Scriptures about our Lord. approved we fear repudiation, censure, 2. I have decided to follow Jesus, the characteristic of a true disciple of our Lord. Romans 6: 10-23 When one is baptized into Christ and becomes a Christian, he begins a new life ( Rom. My Glorious Victor, Prince Divine, III. For me I have it written down. I dont look forward to it. repudiation of the world, a. Jesus Then finally, number three let us remember death is not the enemy. He said, Now if you want to learn the doctrine of Christianity, name a day and give me a hearing. The proconsul told Polycarp, No, persuade the people of your Christianity. Polycarp replied that he had been taught to respect the rulers and authorities and he would be happy to meet with the proconsul, but this was a lawless mob and he wasnt going to waste his time., So the proconsul said, I have wild beasts if you dont change your mind. Polycarp said, Call for them. The proconsul said, You will be consumed by the fire. Polycarp said, You threaten with a fire that burns only briefly and after just a little while is extinguished, for you are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and eternal punishment, which is reserved for the ungodly. The third characteristicchoosing deliberately the cross, crucifying ourselves and every worldly desire that we have, that we might love God. Our resurrection is dependent on his resurrection- Paul said take up his cross, and follow Me. The cross is an instrument of death. Well, the magistrate was not happy with this. And the world passeth away . This was the problem with the Ephesian church-I have this against you, that you have left your first love (Rev. And thank Thee, Lord, for each soul You give us, in Thy precious name, amen. If they refuse to swear by Caesar, if they refuse to worship our gods, then we must punish them., Polycarp replied, For 86 years I have been His servant and He has done me no wrong. A 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, 3 And said, He was a friend of Ignatius and he was a mentor to Irenaeus. The text is taken out of our Lords message to the church in Smyrna [Revelation 2:8-11]. Its a letter from Jesus, who is the Jewish Messiah. empty and heart broken(1 John 2:15-17), IV. Or do with your weekends what everyone else would do. I absolutely love how the story ends. Hold fast to what you have, that no one may take your crown (Rev. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (Gal. Or see the movie or tell the jokes or visit the websites that everyone else. Can you imagine after forty years the people here by the thousands listening to me lecture on mathematics or science or literature or the humanities? Pleasure leads many to neglect the Lord. Fearing death is natural, but Jesus means to set us free. That right there was meant to be comfort. Hes already won. EASTER SUNDAY 2014 SERMON Now, before I mention the last one may I recapitulate? Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.. We know what the commentator says, and we know what the politician says, and we know what the philosopher says, and we know what the academician says. ON POINT, I So if we have a late date for Revelation around 90 A.D., then this is some 65 years later, not that long. 14 views Watch this sermon on a Roku or Apple TV! But to be left out like a lone, lost black sheep is to be hurt and the child is a thousand times sensitive to it. read more, Scripture: Listen to what it says: Now the blessed Polycarp was martyred on the second day of the first part of the month Xanthicus, seven days before the Kalends of March, on a great Sabbath, about 2 oclock in the afternoon. 18:6). In fact, we do. II Timothy 4:6-8 Paul was looking with Suffering. We are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul (Heb. a man loves the world and the things that are in it, he will find his hands The shears with rust are spoiled and yet. It is interesting to note the things Jesus DID NOT say to them on how to overcome. WebSermons by Bible: Sermons by Category: Sermons by Topic: Sermons by Speaker: Sermons by Language: Sermons by Date: Staff Picks: Comments, ALL -0 sec: Top Sermons: Online Bible: Hymnal: Daily Reading: About | $1 Signup! Genesis 49 But from salvation to glory there are three vitally important way stations that That may sound daunting. Jesus knows. This is the pastor bringing the message entitled Faithful Unto Death. New American Bible Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Pastor Wayne Tindale We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. [First John] 4:7, Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another [1 John 4:11]. 2:10). Say away with the atheists. And I dont know if this meant to be humorous at the moment of his almost death, but heres the story Polycarp solemnly looked at the whole crowd of lawless heathen who were in the stadium. What does it mean for us? Try to set an example from time to time to pray for it here from the pulpit. John spoke much about our love for the Lord and for one another. They are clear and unequivocal; the first one is this: supreme love for Jesus our Lord. Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight. This is the one, verse 8, The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. It is in the transcendence of God that His eminence is so much comfort. UNTO DEATH THE MARKS OF A TRUE CHRISTIAN, I. Dont think youre the only one to have this struggle. He knew what it was to face external temptation when that suffering came. Will God reward you? Faithfulness in the midst of persecution doesnt mean you just grin and bear it, you suppress it, you pretend like it doesnt hurt. Why Jesus, in His letter to the church at Smyrna, instruct those Christians to Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.. read more, Scripture: It is a place on which somebody is executed, a cross. Pentecostal. Elishas dedication to Elijah might 1 John 5: 13-21 4:7 ), I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. While God promises that He will keep all that He saves, the process is And I wonder if those of you this morning who are facing uncertain times, facing hardships, illness, chronic problems, test results, wayward family members Can you hear this comfort? Since we know that God will richly reward us, we should be faithful. It is like manna from heaven to a hungry heart. An unswerving continuance in the Word of If they overcome in the first death, they will not be hurt by the second death. The apostle John writes in 1 John 2:15-17: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. 22:37). All England came to know him. That grace, should that come, and for most of us, maybe all of us, it wont come like that, but when the opposition comes, when the moment comes at your workplace, youre going to go along with this program or who knows what happens to your job. The Bible discusses faithfulness as being much more than worshipping God. More were killed by other religious groups, and far and away, most of those Christian martyrs were killed by the state, some 55 million out of those 70 million. 1 John 5:13-17. There are some men who are incorrect, who use that verse to say like this: Be faithful to your deathbed, and if you are, you will be saved. There is no thoughtthere is not an approach of a thought like that. We dont want to make the mistake of saying that just because one worships three times a week every week he is faithful. In broad, open daylight where everyone could see, he knelt down before the Lord, the Prophet from Nazareth saying, Agathai didaskai [Mark 10:17]. 8:14). Near the close of the previous chapter Paul had said," The law entered that the offence might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did much more It is like water to a thirsting soul. Putting this altogether, you can understand why in some parts of the Empire it was the Jews who sometimes instigated this persecution against the Christians. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faithFor by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of Be faithful even unto the point of death because brother, sister, friend, when youre faithful to the point of death for Jesus, you get a crown of life. We all know the occasions where suffering brings out the absolute best in people, and weve seen it in our own church. It was the first city, in fact, in the ancient world, to build a temple in honor of Rome. One, starting with Nero, Christians were blamed for things in Rome and were being persecuted, at least intermittently. When the crowd learned that it would not be possible to set a lion loose, thats what they called for, then they shouted for him to be burned alive. So, what is this sin? Jesus calls us to overcome. Evangelical/Non-Denominational. Could I take time to turn aside? I trust everyone understands the significance of the Gospel in relation to salvation in Christ. He famously died a martyrs death in 155 or 156, and when he died the church at Smyrna sent out a letter, To tell the story of those who have suffered martyrdom, especially blessed Polycarp, who as though he had set his seal by his martyrdom brought the persecution to an end.. Listen to the words of our Lord in Luke 6:26: Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! We are not in this world to be acclaimed, we are to be true to our Lord, no matter what repudiation or scoffing or scorning. . The sermons and original blog posts are Copyright by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr. Amen. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, [NEW YEAR] 4-Week Series to kick off 2023, [PRODUCTIVITY] Fulfill your full potential, [FOUNDATIONS] Getting back to what matters most. 1: 5). While we sing our appeal a thousand times welcome, come. Its called the Letter of Polycarp to the Philippians. Doubt will say, How? WebSermons by Bible: Sermons by Category: Sermons by Topic: Sermons by Speaker: Sermons by Language: Sermons by Date: Staff Picks: Comments, ALL -1 sec: Top Sermons: Online Bible: Hymnal: Daily Reading: Our A reference to the fifteenth chapter of the Book of Genesis, where Abraham came before God and said, Lord, You say that I am to have a child and then the seed that comes out of my body, my loins, the whole world is be blessed. Speaking of winning the lost, Paul says, The love of Christ compels us (2 Cor. The first one is this: and I take these out of the Bible, out of the New Testament. He was soon to dieto be rejected [Mark 10:32-34]. It is a great vast city, today called Izmir. I would love to be a professor of English literature. He wants to be acclaimed and accepted and praised by them. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death. This is the second of seven messages to seven churches. There will be a temptation to want to raise your flag as well and say, Here I am, you can count on me. Or to wear the sort of clothes that everyone would wear. The other place it is used is to describe the face of that young man. We will suffer. Charles Wesley was an Anglican minister. Just do the sacrifices, just do the ritual, and if you want to say youre doing it to the emperors as rulers, to honor them, and not as gods, then so be it. . And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarahs womb: he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith being fully persuaded that, what God had promised, He was able to perform. Given Most people dont consider that they will die. May I turn to 1 John 3:14? Rev. self in my heart and enthrone the Lord Jesus, 1. By a living faith, I mean one consumed with one desireto please our Lord. WebFaithfulness unto death is Gods standard for human life. Not some physical anguish or personal disappointment, 2. The tragic and terrible civil war he was fighting in his heart registered in his countenance, stugnaz; and he lost the battle. Many people have is just the opposite. Leave me as I am, for the One who enables me to endure the fire will also enable me to remain on the pyre without moving. Then Polycarp prayed a final prayer and when he said amen, the men in charge of the fire lit it. ( Rev. All seven of the churches of Asia have some castigation from our Lord except this church. You dont forget His promise. There is a marvelous thing that happens when a man places Jesus first in his lifeloves our Lord supremely above all other loveHe hands back to you your home, your family, your wife, your business, your children, every dream and vision of your soul. read more, Scripture: And the Lord, looking deep in the soul of the young fellow, said to him, Your heart is in the world. Any Amazon link on this site is an ad. The young fellow knelt down before the Lord [Mark 10:17]. The LORD preserves the faithful (Ps. Say away with the atheist.. [Matthew 19:20; Mark 10:20]. Certainly under all of the rules of logic the one who assumes that an apparently dead person is still alive should be able to produce substantial proof. The same thing is true of those in Hebrews 11. You dont get angry with God. 5:17; Father in heaven, we give thanks for Your many blessings. The seven marks of a true disciple of Jesus: Now, the last one, the seventh one, the marks of a true disciple of Jesus: he is committed to a belief in another worldliving, working, looking forward to another world. Therefore, when he was brought before him, the proconsul, so the governor, asked if he were Polycarp, and when he confessed that he was, the proconsul tried to persuade him to recant, saying Have respect for your age and other such things as they were accustomed to say. Revile Christ. This was typical Roman procedure. Do not be afraid. And a man who preaches the word of the Lord is someone people love to listen to. We can remember the great examples of Scripture. 1 John 5:16-18, ON POINT, III Heres the key-those men and women were just like we are. Father in heaven, our prayer is simple. We dont have a little God. It wasnt the procedure at this time that you would try to stamp out every Christian, but if somebody ratted you out, often your family, and you were brought there, then you were made to recant. 2:10 states, Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. There are too many professing Christians which the Lord cannot depend upon. The premise of this study is the foundation of creation. In Matthew 16:3 Jesus uses it describing the face of a sky before a violent storm. Many of us would say that murder is worthy of the death penalty; and if any of us had a child that were raped, we would probably believe the person who And when the young man asked, Master, all of these commandments have I kept from my youth, but my heart is still hungry and empty, what lack I yet that I might obtain eternal life? In the fifteenth chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy is one of the most unusual parabolic instances of devotion that you could ever think for or find in all literature. Christ delivered man out of death to the promise of the gift of eternal life yet man thinking he is in the perfection of God's love, sins. As the song says, Just one glimpse of him in glory will the toils of life repay. Surely, seeing Jesus face to face will be reward enough for our faithfulness. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, So you add them all up, and what? The Word of God tells us to have compassion for our brothers and sisters who are facing difficulty and prison and opposition, and some will even pay the ultimate price of martyrdom. 1 Cor 15:14 Why didnt the Lord say that to Joseph of Arimathea, who is described in the Bible as a rich man? It has never happened in the history of the world. The author of Hebrews had just finished writing about great men and women of faith-He wrote about how they obeyed God out of their faith. 3:11). Holiness. 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